Device for holding and desiccating smoking pipes



Dec. 4, 1951 J. K, SELLERS 2,577,278

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND DESICCATING SMOKING PIPES Filed Jan. 31, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 John Kenneth Sellers JNVENTOR.

Dec. 4, 1951 J. K. SELLERS 2,577,278

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND DESICCATING SMOKING PIPES Filed Jan. 31, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Hmi I 29 I" 7 36 John Kennel/1 Sellers 50 5/ j 50 32 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 4, 1951 DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND DESICCATING SMOKING PIPES John Kenneth Sellers, Warren, Ariz. Application January 31, 1949, Serial No. 73,768

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a holding and drying or desiccating appliance for tobacco pipes.

Smoking pipes, when in use, have to absorb continuously some of the liquid products of combustion, as otherwise the pipe channel collects such products and becomes clogged, these products being moreover drawn into the mouth of the smoker causing an unpleasant sensation. However, such an'absorption of the liquid products of combustion and of the moisture is practically limited by the material of the pipe and as soon as the pipe material becomes saturated such absorption ceases, thus starting the unpleasant etfects which have been mentioned above and which interfere with smoking enjoyment.

It has therefore been the practice to use a number of pipes so as to give each pipe a rest period after the service period, within which the moisture which has been absorbed is evaporated so that the pipe is reconditioned and becomes again capable of absorbing moisture.

However it was found that this reconditioning process, if left to natural evaporation of the moisture under ordinary atmospheric temperature conditions, is likely to last for a very long time, as the moisture has penetrated deeply into the material, and it takes several days and even weeks for a pipe to dry sufliciently to become again absorptive for the liquids produced during combustion to the desired degree.

According to the invention means are provided which are capable of accelerating this evaporation and desiccation or drying process to a limited degree which should not be exceeded because the material of the pi e should not be in any way affected by the artificial reconditioning, drying or desiccation process. This limited acceleration of the rather slow processes of desiccation and of evaporation of t e lioui d absorbed by the pipe material is produced according to the invention, by a limited raising of the temperature and by a limited air flow through the pipe.

It is therefore the main object of the invention to provide a special appliance in which this limited acceleration of the evaporation or desiccation process may take place.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an appliance of the above described type which may also function as a pipe holder for storing pipes and which may form an ornamental object, but which produces such limited cir culation by holding one end of the pipe, for instance, the pipe bowl and also a large part of the pipe stem within the closed and sealed container which is exposed to heat, while the end of the pipe stem projects outwardly thus establishing a communication with the outer air.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an appliance including a closed and sealed container in which one end of the pipe, for instance the bowl, and a large part of the stem is housed and exposed to heat emanating from a heating appliance, while the end of the stem projects outwardly, and in which a further communication is established between the pipe bowl enclosed within the container with the outer air by means of a stopper seated in the pipe bowl and by means of a tubular member connected with the outer air and therefore carrying air to the channel of the pipe which is to be heated within the container.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an appliance, including a closed and sealed container, housing one end of a pipe, for instance the bowl and a portion of the stem, and provided with openings through which the end of the pipe stem may project outwardly, said container having means for heating those parts which are enclosed in it and being arranged closely adjacent to a closed box and communl eating with said box through an opening of limited size in order to establish a communication with the open air, a further opening of limited size being provided in the closed box for establishing communication of the latter with the open air, both openings restricting the flow of air into the container and through the pipe channel.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an appliance, including a sealed and closed container in which one end of the pipe, for instance a pipe bowl, and part of the stem is housed and which is provided with openings through which the end of the pipe stem may project outwardly, said openings being sealed by means of elastic sealing means surrounding the projecting pipe stem, said container being further provided with a heating appliance, such as an electric lamp, and arranged adjacent to a closed box, air from said box being passed through the pipe by means of a system of conduits communicating with the box and with the pipe channel, the flow of air through the channel being regulated by restricted communication through which outer air is admitted to the closed box.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an appliance, including a sealed and closed container for housing and holding a pipe, one end of said pipe being enclosed in said container and the other end projecting outwardly through openings provided in said container which are lined with an elastic sealing material so as to fit closely around the ends of the stem, said container being rendered accessible through doors having a closing joint passing through one of I the openings or through all of the openings and bisecting them, so as to facilitate removal and insertion of said pipe and sealing of the stem proiecting through the openings of the container.

Further objects will be apparent from the following detailed specification.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings showing three modifications or embodiments of the invention. It is however to be understood that these embodiments are shown by way of example in order to illustrate the invention and to allow explanation of the principle of the invention and of the best modes of carrying said principle into effect. As further modifications mav also constitute a mode of applying the principle of the invention modifications of the embodiments shown in the drawings are not necessarily departures from the principle of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of the a pliance.

Figure 2 is a lon itudinal eleva ional sectional view. the s ction be n taken along a plane passin through line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Fi ure 3 is a pers ective view of a modified appliance the modification residing mainly in the us of hinged doors.

Figure 4 is a pers ective of another modification of the invention illustrating a container with hinged d ors. the hin e being arranged at the lower end of the container.

Fi ure 5 is a pers ective view of a further modification of the invention.

Figure 6 is an ele ational sectional view of the same modification the section bein taken along a plane passing through line 6-6 of Figure 5.

F gure 7 is an elevational sectional view of a further modification of the invention, a section being taken along the longitudinal plane of symmetry.

According to the invention the appliance for producing a moderate acceleration of the moisture eva oration in the pipe consists of a completely closed and air ti ht container Io. mounted on a base I I which is hollow and preferablv forms a closed box or container, communicating with the first named container by means of a small opening or aperture I2 in the partition wall I6 between the two containers. The bottom plate of the base case m y be provided with small feet I3. 011 the inside of the bottom plate of the base box the socket I4 of an electric light bulb is mounted which projects into the upper container through a suitable opening I5 of the partition wall IS. the edges of which are provided with flanges or border portions tightly applied against the socket so as to seal the socket within the opening I5 leading from the base box to the upper container.

The base box is moreover provided with a lateral inlet opening 23 of restricted area.

On the top I! of the upper container openings I8 for the pipe stems 20 are provided which are lined with a soft resilient sealing material such as sponge rubber 2I, and which form a seal around the pipe stems especially when slightly compressed.

The partition wall I6 also carries sockets or rests 22 for the pipe bowls I9 so arranged that when the pipes rest on the sockets 22 they are in such a position that their stems 20 project through the openings stems preferably in an inclined position.

To provide access to the interior of the container Ill doors are provided which may be formed by sliding door panels or plates 25 which are in a feather'and groove engagement with the top portion II of the container I0. These doors preferably close along a line passing through the openings I8 so that half of the opening I8 and of its lining is arranged in the container top plate I! while the other half is arranged in the sliding door plate 25. In order to secure a tight sealing of the stem the sliding door plate may be held in its place by means of a spring 26.

The door panels may also be hinged to the container as shown at 28 in Figure 3, and a spring 21 around the pintle forming the hinge may be provided to keep the ,door panel in its closed position. Alternatively the side walls 29 and a portion 35 covering the top may form a combine... door as shown in Figures 4 and '7.

Instead of container doors arranged at or forming the small ends of the container I0 which close along a transverse line passing through the openings I8, the container may be divided diagonally and one side 30 of the container may be hinged at 3| to the remaining stationary portion of the container III to form a door as shown in Figure 5; this door closes along a longitudinal line passing through the openings I8. In all these cases one-half of the opening I8 is in the top portion of the container while the other half is cut into the door member which is aligned with the top of the container. Likewise one-half of the resilient lining 2I is carried by the container and one-half is carried by the door.

Where hinged doors are used the movable door carries an overlapping flange 32 or a similar overlapping member which covers the stationary container portion in order to produce a seal between the edges which are joined and the tightly closed container.

An incandescent lamp bulb 36 preferably of low wattage is screwed into the socket I4 and serves as a source of heat. The connections 31 for the lamp are leading to the outside through a suitable openingclosed by stoppers or beads. The connections lead to a cord with the usual wall plug.

When switched in the lamp heats the volume of air in the container which will have a tendency to escape as the heat develops a certain excess pressure. However the inflow as well as the outflow of the container is limited. The inflow is limited by the size of the opening I2 and also by the size of opening 23 in the closed box II. The outflow can only take place through the pipe bowls I9 and stems 20. Therefore a slow exchange of air will take place which carries heated air at a slow rate through the pipe and therefore evapo rates and carries away the moisture which has been absorbed by the pipe.

The flow of air is limited in order to maintain the temperature of the flowing air and to avoid cooling of the pipe. The flow of air within the container is necessary as otherwise the air would become saturated and the drying and dehydration process would be imperfect.

The incandescent lamp will be chosen in accordance with the desired temperature to be maintained in the container and it may be I8 outwardly with the- 7 changed for different types of pipes, or with the time which is available for performing the drying operation.

In Figures 5, 6 and 7 two further modifications of the invention are shown. Figures and 6 show a modification in which one side wall 40 of the container is stationary while the other side wall serves as a door and is movable giving access to the container; This movable side wall is hinged to the first named side wall at 3| as already described. The line along which the movable door closes the container is a longitudinal line passing through the openings l8.

In the stationary side wall openings 43 are provided within wh ch short tubular pieces 45 are firmly held. They may be glued or otherwise secured to the wall 40 of the container I0. They carry conical stopper members 46 made of cork or of a similar material with a stepped central opening 4'! forming partly a continuation of the inner surface of the tubular pieces 45 and partly surrounding the said tubular pieces. The conical stoppers are adapted to fit into the bowl 29 of the pipe and by virtue of their conical shape they practically fit into pipe bowls of diiferent size.

In other respects the container [0 and its equipment is similar to the container already described with the exception that no seats or rests for the pipe bowls H! are necessary in this case, the bowls being held by the conical stoppers. Moreover: no air circulation through the container need be provided in this case.

When the air within the container is heated by the lamp 36 the pipes I9, 20 become heated and a convection current will flow through the pipe stem 20 which will desiccate and dehydrate the pipe.

Figure 7 shows a further modification in which the closed box II is provided with an opening 48 which leads into a hollow trunnion or cylinder 49 closed at its top, from which the tubular pipes 50 project. Each tubular pipe carries again a conical stopper 5| of cork or the like with a central bore 52 partly surrounding the tubular pipes 50 and partly forming a continuation thereof. The conical cork pieces are again adapted to fit into pipe bowls of different size.

The lamp socket H in this case is mounted on the top I! of the container Hi, the interior of which is rendered accessible by means of doors 29 at the two ends, such as described in connection with Figure 4.

The closed box H must in this case be provided with an opening 23 for air circulation as the air flowing through the pipe enters through the box.

The air within the container I0 is heated by the lamp 36 and heats the pipes, and also the hollow cylinder. A convection current through the pipe is the result of such heating which enters at 23 and passes through the hollow trunnion or cylinder 49 and through the pipe bowls I9 and 20. The raised temperature of the pipe stem and bowl together with the air flow produces the desired desiccation and dehydration eiTeot.

It will be obvious that the number of pipes which may be treated simultaneously is not limited. However it will be clear that on account of the accelerated desiccation or dehydration proc-- ess the number of pipes which are ready for treatment at any moment will be small.

While the invention does not contemplate to process a pipe within a very short time, it intends to shorten materially the time which would be required to produce the same effect without any auxiliary means. The temperature increase also produces a more complete and a deeper reaching desiccation of the material which has been absorbed by the wooden walls than is obtainable by merely exposing the pipe to a natural drying 5 process at room temperature.

The container may be given an ornamental shape or may be made partly or wholly of translucent material illuminated by the incandescent lamp within it.

Obviously changes of an unessential nature will not form a departure from the invention as above described.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A device for desiccating and dehydrating smoking pipes, comprising a closed and sealed container. provided with means for holding the pipe bowl and the main portion of the adjacent pipe stem within that container, the latter being prov'ded with an opening through which the end portion of the pipe stem projects to the exterior, means for sealing the pipe stems within said opening, means arranged within said container for heating that portion of the pipe which is contained within the container from the outside by radiation and heat conduction, and means for admitting outer air to the pipe bowls so as to produce a circulaton of outer air through the pipe channel during the heating of the pipe from the outside.

2. A device for desiccating and dehydrat ng smoking pipes comprising a closed and sealed container, enclosing and holding the p pe bowls of the pipes to be dehydrated and provided with an opening through which the pipe stems project outwardly, a tightly fitting door in said container for giving access to the same, said door closing tightly along a line passing through an opening through which the pipe stem projects and bisect- Ii ing said opening, part of said opening being located in the container wall and part of the opening being located in a movable door, means for sealing said pipe stems within said openings, means including a heating appliance arranged within said container, for heating the air within the container surrounding the pipes on the outside, and means for connecting the pipe bowl with the outer air for producing a limited circulation of outer air through the interior of said pipes.

3. A device for desiccating and dehydrating smoking pipes comprising a closed and sealed container, enclosing and holding the pipe bowls of the pipes to be dehydrated and provided with an opening through which the pipe stems project 55 outwardly, a tightly fitting door in said container,

having a closing joint passing through an opening through which a pipe stem projects, part of said opening being located in the container wall and part of said opening being located in the 6 door, means for sealing said pipe stem in said opening, electric heating means within said closed container for heating the air surrounding the pipes on the outside within the container, and means for connecting the pipe bowl with the outer air for producing a limited circulation of outside air through the interior of said pipes.

4. A device for desiccating and dehydrating smoking pipes comprising a closed and sealed container, enclosing and holding the pipe bowls of the pipes to be dehydrated and provided with an opening through which the pipe stems project outwardly, means for holding the pipe bowls within the containers, a tightly fitting door in said container, having a closing joint passing through an opening through which a pipe stem projects, part of said opening being located in the container wall and part of said opening being located in the door, means for sealing said pipe stem in said opening, said means including an elastic lining surrounding said opening, an electric light bulb within said container for heating the pipes moderately on the outside and means for producing a limited circulation of air through said pipes, said means including a communication of limited cross sections between said container and the outer air producing a limited air circulation through the pipes by virtue of the exchange of heated air between the container and the outer air through the pipes.

5. A device for desiccating and dehydrating smoking pipes comprising a closed and sealed container, enclosing and holding the pipe bowls of the pipes to be dehydrated and provided with an opening through which the pipe stems project outwardly, a tightly fitting door in said container, having a closing joint passing through an opening through which a pipe stem projects, part of said opening being located in the container wall and part of said opening being located in the door, means for sealing said pipe stem in said opening, a channelled member fitting into said pipe bowl and projecting into the container, communicating with the outer air, for producing a limited circulation of outside air through said pipes, when placed on the channelled member electric heating means within said closed container for heating the pipes moderately on the outside.

6. A device for desiccating and dehydrating smoking pipes comprising a closed and sealed container, enclosing and holding the pipe bowls of the pipes to be dehydrated and provided with an opening through which the pipe stems project outwardly, a tightly fitting door in said container, having a closing joint passing through an opening through which a pipe stem projects, part of said opening being located in the container wall and part of said opening being located in the door, means for sealing said pipe stem in said opening, a closed box adjacent to the container, electric heating means within said container ,for heating the pipes moderately on the outside, and means for producing a limited circulation of outside air through the interior of said pipes, said means including a communication of restricted cross section between said container and said closed box and a communication between said closed box and the outside.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 in which the channelled member comprises a tubular member carried by the wall of the container, in which the container is provided with an opening through which said tubular member communicates with the outside, and a conical stopper, adapted to be inserted into the pipe bowl provided with a channel, communicating with the tubular member.

8. A device for desiccating and dehydrating smoking pipes, comprising a closed and sealed container, enclosing and holding the pipe bowls of the pipes to be dehydrated and provided with an opening through which the pipe stems project outwardly, a tightly fitting door in said container,

said pipe.

having a closing joint passing through an opening through which a pipe stem projects, part of said opening being located in the container wall and part of said opening. being located in the door, means for sealing said pipe stem in said opening, a closed box adjacent to the container, a tubular member, a conical stopper member adapted for insertion into the pipe bowl seated on the tubular member and establishing a communication between the same and the pipe stem channel, a hollow member projecting into the container with its hollow interior in communication with the closed box, and further in communication with said tubular member, said closed box being moreover provided with an opening of restricted size communicating with the outer air, for producing a convection current of air through JOHN KENNETH SELLERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Elliott Mar. 29, 1949 

